Course aims

This course is designed to prepare those for leadership and specialist roles in the health, mental health and human services sector. By undertaking this course you will understand and benefit from evidence-informed practice to effectively respond to the problems that affect individuals, families, communities and organisations. You will develop a detailed understanding of knowledge, policy and research as it relates your practice, while learning from leading academics who conduct evidence-based research in the fields of health, mental health, child and family welfare, ageing, social policy, policy evaluation and leadership.

Who the course is for

This course has been designed for health and community service professionals at various stages of their career, including recent graduates, established practitioners and those seeking to advance their career or move into a new field of professional practice.

It includes those who work in mental health, drug and alcohol support, welfare, and those who work with disadvantaged or people in need.

It is particularly relevant to:

Counsellors

Psychologists

Case managers

Nurses

Community workers

Therapists.

Career outcomes

According to projections, the health and community services sector will grow more rapidly than any other in the next five years** This will create demand for high-calibre health, community services and social workers, a trend that is echoed internationally. The Health and Human Services course allows you to take advantage of this demand.

As a graduate of this course, you will have developed the ability to engage in a critical reflection of your own practice and be able to lead effectively in this sector, with the capabilities and skills to build important connections between people and organisations.

What you will learn

Advanced knowledge and practical skills to apply to your practice

You will develop comprehensive knowledge and practical skills related to the assessment and intervention of human service settings. This could include knowledge of domestic and family violence (DVF) and theoretical frameworks and evidence involved in suicide prevention.

Policy and practice as it relates to psychosocial practice

You will explore a range of approaches useful for researching health and human services practice, encompassing both policy, organisational practice, as well as practice with individuals, groups and communities.

The skills and confidence to lead in this sector

You will develop writing skills for publication and undertake critical reflection of your own practice and development to adequately prepare you for leadership roles in the health and community services field.

Who you will learn from

Your online learning experience is enriched by interaction with lecturers and your fellow classmates. You can expect input and feedback from your lecturers and tutors as well as regular real-time sessions where you speak with the instructor and fellow students.

Contact student support

You can talk with a dedicated online student support consultant via the chat function at the bottom right of this page or connect through by phone. Alternatively, click on the Enquire Now tab below and fill out the form to find out about key details relating to this program, including:

Course structure

To gain the Graduate Certificate in Health and Human Services you must complete 50 points comprising of:

Four elective subjects.

Subject

Points

Elective subjects

Advanced Trauma Perspectives

12.5

Advanced Trauma Perspectives

This subject critically examines contemporary trauma theories, including psychodynamic, narrative, and anti-oppressive approaches. It explores their application to working with individuals, families and communities in a variety of practice settings.

Implementation Science in Theory

This subject will introduce you to the core elements of Implementation Science, both theory and practice. It will expose you to a number of different implementation conceptual models and frameworks and apply these to real life examples of implementation in the human service sector. The subject will also introduce you to the essential role data plays in drivingimplementation success. This will include the practice of systematically using data, information, and knowledge to set and drive change, evidence actual implementation, tracking outcomes and driving continuous improvement throughout the implementation cycle.

Implementation Science in Practice

This subject draws on the theoretical and practical concepts that were explored in Implementation Science in Theory and apply these to real world examples of implementation in human service systems. Students will critically examine the effectiveness of different approaches to implementation; the role multidisciplinary teams play in the alignments of systems, and the application of implementation theory against real world cases. It will also include practice and theoretical application of different types of program evaluation through an implementation lens, including needs assessment, formative research, process evaluation, monitoring of outputs and outcomes and impact assessment. As a student, you will be able to draw on case studies from your own work.

Ageing Health and Human Services

This course explores the interface of policy and practice in the delivery of aged care services. The responses to policy shifts in aged care over time will be explored. The course will then focus on the present day impact of health care, mental health, income security, housing, and employment, educational and recreational policies on the delivery of services to older citizens collectively and as individuals. Case studies will be used to illustrate both the theoretical and practical aspects of designing and delivering services.

Psychosocial Oncology

This subject explores the theoretical paradigms, and the political, economic and social determinants of psychosocial practice in the field of oncology. Advances in cancer care, and the relevance of these in relation to life stresses and quality of life, have resulted in the increased importance of psychosocial issues on assessment, intervention and recovery. The subject will include the impact of cancer on the developmental stage of the individual, including family and interpersonal relationships, as well as issues related to survivorship and the management of cancer as a chronic illness. Professionals working in multidisciplinary cancer care teams are in a unique position to respond to the needs of people who have been diagnosed with cancer and their carers. This subject aims to strengthen your capacity to respond effectively and appropriately from a psychosocial service perspective.

Suicide Prevention

This subject explores the theoretical frameworks and available evidence in the field of suicide prevention, regarding the identification and assessment of suicide-related thoughts and behaviours. The subject will dually focus on theoretical knowledge and skills-based acquisition, with a focus on assessment and interventional strategies that are brief and evidence-informed. The language of suicide and definitional issues that exist within the field of suicidology will be explored, as will the ethical aspects of working clinically and undertaking research with suicidal clients. The impact and contribution of psychosocial issues to suicidal crises will be considered, as will the importance of professionals understanding the meaning of self-harming and suicidal behaviours, from the perspective of those engaging in the behaviours. This subject will primarily focus on the integration of theory and practice in assessing and responding to suicidality in the context of the Australian service system.

International Child and Family Welfare

This subject explores the ways in which child welfare systems internationally have developed in response to child care and protection needs. It will consider the controversies surrounding the protection of children, and the developing knowledge base that informs responses to child maltreatment. It will explore the knowledge base underpinning child protection responses, and will explore some of the innovative frameworks, approaches and key ideas that have emerged over time. It will explore some of the universal values and beliefs that underpin and drive child protection systems, particularly within Western jurisdictions, and will consider the implications of this for the development of child protection typologies that have broader international relevance.

Domestic and Family Violence

This provides foundational knowledge in understanding domestic and family violence (DFV) and the intervention for workers in the human services sector. An analysis which draws from an ecological and a public health framing of the cultural, structural, relational and individual understandings of DFV informs the content of the course. An approach which recognises the gendered patterns of DFV and which also recognises the impact on children of living with violence and abuse provides the parameters of the subject. Issues of diversity will be woven throughout the subject.

Specific topics that will be covered include: prevalence and incidence of DFV and what this tells us about children, gender and intersectionality; risk assessment and risk management; accountability for men who use violence; strengthening the mother-child relationship in the aftermath of violence; supporting collaborative inter-agency practice; specific issues for child protection workers; the prevention agenda and strategies for earlier intervention.

Workload

The estimated hours required for each subject is between 15 -19 hours per week, but this varies for each student and depends on your task management and planning, familiarity with the material, reading style and speed.

Meeting these requirements makes you eligible for selection but does not guarantee selection.

In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

Prior academic performance; and

Professional work experience; and

The personal statement.

The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Student Application and Selection Procedure.

Applicants are required to satisfy the University’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 7 is required.

Students taking the course from overseas are not required to have an international student visa.

Fees and scholarships

Course

Points

Cost

Graduate Certificate in Health and Human Services

50 point program

A$12,032

Course fees are the same for both domestic and international students.

Your course is equivalent in quality and accreditation to an on-campus qualification. Each subject is designed by academics, subject coordinators and learning designers to deliver an interactive and enriching experience, with regular contact from lecturers, tutors and a dedicated online Student Support team.

The fee is based on the study load that the student is taking. Fees are paid on a per subject basis each term, and total course fees are not required to be paid up-front.

The fees listed are the indicative costs for 2018. The University reviews fees annually. The indicative total course fee is based on typical subject enrolments, and includes an indexation of 5 per cent per annum.

Financial assistance and scholarships

If you are an Australian Citizen or Permanent Humanitarian Visa holder, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the Australian Government. You may be eligible for the government loan scheme known as FEE-HELP.

There are many subsidies and scholarships awarded by the University and specific faculties, based on a variety of criteria. Online students are encouraged to apply.

FEE-HELP

FEE-HELP is a loan available to eligible students in domestic fee-paying places to help pay for all or part of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government sets limits on how much you can borrow. FEE-HELP loans are repaid through the taxation system. No loan fee applies to loans for postgraduate studies. Detailed information about eligibility for FEE-HELP is available from the Study Assist website.

Domestic scholarships

The Melbourne Scholarships Program is one of the most generous and comprehensive in Australia – supporting approximately 3000 students at the University. The scholarships program serves to both reward outstanding academic achievement and provide access for students who might otherwise be prevented from undertaking further study. For full details of all domestic graduate scholarships, visit the Future Students website.

Further information regarding financial aid options for current students is available on the Student Services website.

International scholarships

There are no scholarships available for overseas online students from the University of Melbourne. Companies, home universities, professional organisations and charities may provide scholarships.

Apply online

It takes about 20 minutes to complete the form using the online application system.

You can save your work in progress and complete the application at a later date.

Admissions for this course are not capped per intake, so you do not need to apply for multiple intakes. If you are unsure which intake you wish to apply for, please note that you can change your application later by contacting the student support team.

To complete your application you will require:

Course code GC-HHS

A two page CV summary that documents a minimum of two years relevant work experience

Transcripts for ALL courses completed including an explanation of the grading system. Transcripts for previous studies undertaken at the University of Melbourne are not required. An academic transcript is an official record of your studies that lists all subjects you have undertaken, and all of the results that you obtained.